Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula torridus) - female
27 January 2009, Savegre Mountain Hotel, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
This was the most common small (they are about 3" long) hummingbird around
the lodge and one of the most challenging to photograph. This is one of
the few photos I was able to get which shows the whole head. Most photos
show the bird's head buried in the feeder (see next photo).
There are two small hummingbirds in the genus Selasphorus at the lodge, the
other is the Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla). Females of
the two are very similar, although the Scintillant averages more orange on
its tail and flanks.
Three subspecies of Volcano Hummingbird are recognized, based partly on the
gorget color of the males. As far as I know the female races are virtually
indistinguishable from each other. I believe the ones at Savegre are S. f.
torridus sometimes called the Heliotrope-throated Hummingbird. It is the
southernmost subspecies and has been treated as a separate species by some
authors.
This species prefers edges and open county and has benefited from
deforestation. It is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western
Panama.
Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)
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